Psychological First Aid—Listen, Protect, Connect

Psychological first aid (PFA) began as a tool to help first responders cope with victims experiencing trauma on the scene. There are several models of PFA, but Psychological First Aid—Listen, Protect, Connect (PFA—LPC) was developed in response to a series of school shootings in the 1990s. The five-step crisis response strategy was intended to guide teachers and staff members in helping traumatized students deal with the aftermath of senseless violence. PFA—LPC helps educational staff support students through the process of recovery, especially when students encounter traumatic reminders of being in danger or of experiencing loss or trauma.

The main goals of PFA—LPC are:

To stabilize the emotions and behaviors of students

To return students to an improved mental and emotional state after a crisis or disaster ready to attend school and reengage in learning

While targeted at trauma-exposed students, PFA—LPC is beneficial to anyone who has experienced trauma. The strategy focuses on what a person needs in the moment to get through a difficult time.

"We developed it for school staff — for teachers and educational aides and the school secretary and the cafeteria lady — all of the people that children know and trust and see every day."

—Marleen Wong, PFA-LPC Intervention Developer

"PFA is something that can be delivered immediately after a crisis, and that's the best time for it. There are several models of pyschological first aid, but the thing that ties them all together, that runs across all models, is that immediate help to those that are stressed by the situation."